Comparing the Effects of Reality Therapy and Transactional Analysis Therapy on Perfectionism in Women with Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome is among the new variables that have been studied concerning individuals who are skeptical about their abilities and have a general feeling of inadequacy and fear of being evaluated. A variable that could influence imposter syndrome is perfectionism. Perfectionism is defined as an individualchr('39')s enduring tendency to reach unattainable standards and to strive to achieve them with self–critical appraisals of individual performance. Perfectionism comprises three personality dimensions of self–centered, other–oriented, and community–oriented perfectionism. A novel approach that could help these individuals is reality therapy. It is based on emotional choices and conflicts that emphasize reality, the acceptance of responsibility, and understanding of right and wrong, as well as their relationship to onechr('39')s daily life. This theory specifies why individuals make inefficient choices, and how to make the right choices and reach them. This approach is based on understanding past and present interpersonal problems, i.e., a systematic method of analyzing behavior, accepting responsibility, and acquiring awareness. The efficacy of cross–behavioral analysis therapy has been investigated in various studies with satisfactory outcomes. Individuals with imposter syndrome, despite their abilities and accomplishments, have no positive inner feelings about their abilities. Considering the above–mentioned points, as well as the increase in the number of individuals suffering from this disease, if not timely evaluated and treated, it could cause irreversible harm to the individual and society. The current study aimed to compare the effects of reality therapy and transactional analysis therapy on perfectionism in women with imposter syndrome.

This was a quasi–experimental study with a pretest–posttest and a control group design. The statistical population of the study consisted of women with imposter syndrome referring to the counseling centers of Rasht City, Iran, in 2018. After reviewing the clinical records and diagnostic interviews of 30 women who scored higher than one standard deviation of the mean value on the Clans and Imes imposter syndrome scale (1978) were selected as the study sample. Accordingly, they were randomly assigned to two experimental and one control groups. Before treatment, both groups responded to the perfectionism scale (2008). Moreover, the experimental group received 16 sessions of interaction therapy for 4 hours. The control group received no treatment during this period. Both groups were evaluated at the posttest. The obtained data were analyzed by Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) using SPSS.

The current study findings indicated that reality therapy and transactional analysis therapy were effective on self–oriented, other–oriented, and community–oriented perfectionism in the evaluated women with imposter syndrome (p<0.001). However, there was no significant difference between the two treatments in this regard.

Reality therapy and transactional analysis therapy highly affected perfectionism and its dimensions in women with imposter syndrome. Those with imposter syndrome are perfectionists who have high standards for self–evaluation; one of their main characteristics is the concern for error. Reality mutual behavior analysis, by educating how to analyze relationships, especially the types of complementary, intersectional, and latent, teaches individuals to communicate effectively.